Cricket West Indies (CWI), the governing body for cricket in the West Indies, has signed a historic six-year media rights agreement with ESPN Caribbean, the local division of ESPN Inc., that broadcasts in most Caribbean countries.
The agreement has cemented the network’s role as the exclusive broadcaster for all West Indies Men’s and Women’s home international matches and the CG United Super50 Cup, the region’s premier domestic tournament.
The partnership, which spans from 2024 to 2030, marks the largest media rights deal CWI has ever secured in the Caribbean.
Under this agreement, ESPN Caribbean will provide comprehensive coverage across its television and digital platforms, offering fans an immersive experience of West Indies cricket. The deal highlights ESPN Caribbean’s commitment to delivering top-quality sports content and its extensive reach within the region, which will expand viewership and enhance fan engagement.
CWI Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Lynford Inverary described the agreement as a milestone achievement and said, “This new six-year agreement with ESPN Caribbean marks the largest media rights deal CWI has ever secured in the Caribbean. It not only reflects the growing commercial value of West Indies cricket but also ensures that fans across the region will continue to enjoy comprehensive coverage of our international series and CG United Super50 Cups. ESPN is a longstanding partner, and this new deal will help CWI meet its long-term financial goals while expanding the visibility and engagement of West Indies cricket within the region.”
Scott McGlone, Sr. Director of Programming and Acquisitions, ESPN, added, “We are thrilled to continue our strong relationship with CWI with this groundbreaking new deal. ESPN seeks to serve local sports fans anytime, anywhere. What better way to accomplish this goal than a long-term partnership with CWI, which represents such a rich sporting history both locally and internationally”.
CWI has also retained rights to license post-match highlights for free-to-air and digital platforms throughout the Caribbean, ensuring that fans will have more ways to engage with their favourite teams. This added visibility, facilitated by ESPN’s platforms including ESPN, ESPN2, and Disney+, will extend CWI’s reach even further.
The deal was brokered in collaboration with Pitch International, a sports marketing agency known for its expertise in managing global media rights, sponsorship, and event production. The agency’s experience in sports marketing and content distribution was instrumental in bringing this landmark deal to fruition.
ESPN Caribbean, a division of ESPN Inc., is the go-to sports network for viewers across the Caribbean. Launched in 2007, it offers a wide range of sports programming, including cricket, baseball, basketball, American football, and more. ESPN Caribbean broadcasts in English and is available in most Caribbean countries. It has exclusive rights to major sporting events, making it a popular choice for sports enthusiasts in the region.
This announcement arrives amidst the ongoing England tour of the West Indies. After winning the three-match ODI series, the West Indies are engaged in a five-match T20I series, where England currently leads 2-0. The third T20I is on November 15 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St. Lucia.
With ESPN Caribbean’s extensive resources and CWI’s focus on fostering the growth of cricket in the region, this partnership promises an exciting new era for West Indies cricket, bringing fans closer to the action and celebrating the sport’s rich legacy in the Caribbean.